#13 – RHP Kyle Allen

Why Ranked Here: Allen moves up 20 spots on the list by successfully navigating the jump from the GCL to the SAL as a teenager and making it look good. A very strong athlete, Allen repeats his delivery well for an A-baller. His fastball approaches MLB average ,usually at 90-91 mph. He can throw it harder, but sacrifices some command to do so. His changeup is his best pitch, and helped him hold lefties to an anemic .186/.268/.240 line in 167 AB in 2009. He has good feel for his breaking ball as well. He can throw it to both sides of the plate and Mike Newman of Scoutingthesally.com thought it was average to plus by season’s end.

2009: Allen’s ERA dropped a whole run in the second half of the season, despite his K/rate also dipping. The improvement was nearly purely in his ability to prevent extra hits on balls in play, which testifies to the amount of weak contact he induced.

Dr. Pangloss Says: Allen’s really an interesting prospect. However, it’s really hard for even me to predict stardom with a fastball that largely sits 90-91. However, he touched 93 and if as he fills out, he starts to sit more 92-93, I can hang a #3 starter on him with his superlative changeup. Working out of the bullpen in short stints should also allow for a little extra velo too.